Fountain eye bath



Sept. 27, 1949. R. G. BENSON FOUNTA IN EYE BATH '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1946 Sept. 27, 1949. R. e. BENSON 2,432,960

FOUNTAIN EYE BATH I I Filed Nov. 8, 194a v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 27.1949

f FOUNTAIN EYE BATH Roy G. Benson, Berwyn, 111., assignor to Benson & Associates, Inc.,.Cook County, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November s, 1944;, Serial No. 708,643

3 Claims. (01. 4-166) This invention relates to fountain eye baths and more particularly refers to an improved eye bath for continuously washing the eyes with copious amounts of flowing water.

Today, more than ever, becauseof the vas increase in industry, in factories, chemical plants, and 1aboratories,.there exists an increasing number of cases where foreign material lodges in the eyes. These substances are solid, liquid, vapors and gases. Washing the affected eye is the most eifective way of removing the foreign material; this is particularly true in the case of liquid, vapor and --gases where water washing the eyes is the only practical method of cleaning them. Bathing the eyes with water also dilutes as well as removes most chemical compounds. To eliminate the last traces of material, continuous flushing of the eyes for at least 5 minutes is recommended by most modern authorities. Thus, it will be appreciated, that when a chemical enters the eye, it should be flushed with water as quickly as possible and such washing should be continuous for long periods of time. 7

The conventional methods of bathing the eyes are crude and inadequate and consist primarily in rushing to the sink, scooping up handfuls of water and splashing it in the eyes. Another practice is to bathe the eye by means of an eye-cup which procedure has several disadvantages, namely, only One eye can be bathed by an eye-cup, too much time is consumed before water is applied to the eye, and only a small stagnant body of water treats the eye.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved eye bath whereby copious amounts of flowing water continuously and simultaneously wash both eyes.

Another object of the invention is the employment of a valve with its motivating end disposed on the rim of the bowl in such manner that when the head rests on the bowl it causes the valve to open and release streams of water into the eyes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substantially elliptical bowl circumscribing both eyes and depressed at its front end to'better fit the contour of the face.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eye bath whereby the discharge of water is disposed at points above the bottom of the bowl whereby an accumulation of water in the bottom of the bowl will not retard the upward flow of water. t

7 Another object of the invention is to provide an eye bath whereby the liquid inlet to thebowl first discharges into a reservoir to equalize the pressure thereby providing uniform discharge pressureof the liquid through each of the discharge nozzles,

An additional object of the invention is to provide an eye bath which is interposed in a circulating system of liquid whereby one or more different liquids such as physiological salt solution will flow from a source of supply to and through the discharge nozzles of the bowl to wash the eyes and thence through the drain of the bowl and returned to the source of supply.

A further object of the invention is to provide an eye bath whereby two apertures are spaced at a distance so that a separate stream of water is directed toward each of the eyes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the-course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to. designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the fountain eye bath. I t

Figure 2 is a front view of the fountain eye bath. I

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the fountain eye bath taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the fountain eye bath taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5. is a plan view of the fountaineye bath shown in modified form.

Referringto'Figure 1, the bowl I is preferably shaped in an elliptical form sufficient to embrace the upper portion of the face and embrace both eyes. The width of the bowl may extend from approximately the center of the nose to the middle of the forehead. The length of the bowlshould be equal to or slightly exceed the width of the face. Of course, the'dimensions of the face varies with the individual but I have found that a bowl width 4 and a bowl length 6%.)" to be satisfactory for most faces. The advantage of having the bowl encompass only the upper portion of the face is that it leaves the individual bathing his eyes free to breathe easily through the nose and mouth and without the danger of having water splash those organs. I do not limit myself to these specific dimensions as they may be varied withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Bowl I may be constructed of any suitable r g d; material such as plastic, aluminum, Monel metal, or porcelain.

Mounted on the rim of bowl I is plate 2 on which is inscribed the word Push. When the forehead rests on the bowl, it pushes the plate 2 down which opens a valve shown in Figure 4 thereby releasing a flow of water. In this manner the necessity for speedily getting water to the eyes wherein. foreign material has lodged, is accomplished: Also, a continuous stream of water bathes' the eyes as long as the individual rests his head on the bowl. V

In certain special instances, an individual may desire to elevate his face slightly above the of l tive washing of the eyes or the individual may.

desire to insert his hands in the bowl for the purpose of diverting some water against the face which has been splashed with chemicals, particularly acidsand alkalist In these instances; the eye bath may be provided with a mechanism to actuate the flow of water in such manner that the hands are free ior insertion in the bowl, One method of accomplishing this result is to provide a root operated vale actuating means.-

Disposed inside and at each end or the bowl are two outlet nipples designated 3 and 4 on which are mounted protective caps 5 and 5; When plate 2 opens the valve water fiew's up wardly through the two outlets 3 and 4 in two streams in such manner that they are directed against the eyes. In the center of bowl i a drain I through which the overflow water is removed from the bowl. Drain I ma be provided with a guard 8 or screen to trap and prevent clogging of drain 1- by solid matter. Inlet 5 is connected to a sou-roe of water Interposed between the water supply andinlet 9 my be a pressure regulating device, not shown the drawing to control the force of the streams of water emitted from outlets 3 and 4.-

Figure 2 is: a front View or the ieuntam eye bath showing bowl I, plate 2, and drain I; It will be noted: that the front lip m ofbowl t is depressed for the purpose of allowing the nose to fit into the depression thereby permitting a snugger fit between the bowl and the contour oi the face' It desired, sponge may be fitted on to the bowl to givea softer" resting place for the face.

Figure 3 is a cross section. of. the eye hath taken omline 3-3 of Figure L Bowl t is so constructed that the two discharge outlets. 3; and k are elevoted to a level: above that of. drain L In this manner,an-y aecumulationof water inthe bottom of the bowl will not retard: the new or water mm the orifices 3 and 4. My preference is to have the two outlet nipples 3 and k with protective caps 5 and 6 inclined at an angle slightly toward one another.

Extending vertically down from plate 2 are two guide arms H- and 12 which are inserted in. holes l3 andld in lip of bowl. I thereby eliminating any tilting or rocking of plate 2. Extending flrom the bottom of bowl i and surrounding drain 1 is a wall [5r Attached to wall [5 by means of screws It is plate IT, thereby formin a reservoir" rs bounded by the bottom of b owi f. wail rs and plate H. Extending'tlirough' this reservoir [8" is conduit [9 connected to drain 1'. W'ater fronia suitable source of supply flows into reservoir l5 and discharges upwardly at the same bath taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1. Bowl I has mounted on its lip, plate 2 connected to arm 20 which, when plate 2 is depressed, opens any suitable spring loaded valve 2|. Water flows from inlet 9 through valve 2| and discharges into cavity l8. Water then is forced upwardly through nipple 3 and cap 5. The accumulation of water its bowl I is discharged through-drain- E and conduit l9.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative form of eye fountain bath, with bowl 22, plate 23, water inlet 24, drain 25, guard 26, nipples 21 and 2B, and protective caps 29 and 30. The front wall 3| or bowl 22 is bent in a depressed inwardly direction to forni a recess 32 into which the bridge of the nose fits."

An alternative form of my eye bath, not illustrated in the drawings, comprises a series of vessels containing various medicinal liquids suitable for treating the eyes for different types of injuries, said vessel-s connected by conduit to the discharge nozzles of a bowl substantially as we 'viously described. The liquid accumulatin in the bowl passes through the drainor the bowl and thence returns" to the source of supply; Although mechanical means may be employed to force the liquid to circulate from the vessel to the bowl and returned to the veSseL- i prefer that the vessels bes-ufiiciently elevated to cause a free and copious fiow'oi liquid by gravity to the bowl. 7 The returnor liquid from the bowl to the vessel may be aecomplis'hed by a small centrifugal The vessels are fitted with-valves to'allow liquid from one or more of the-vessels to discharge into the bowl.

Fromthe foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a fountain-eye bath'which will instantane ousl'y and continuously direct streams of flowin water into the eyes.

While I have shown and described a few em Bodiments of my invention; this is illustrative only and inno way limits the scope-of my invention. My invention is limited solely by and in the fol-- lowing claims in which I wish to claim the feet ture's inherent there Iclai'm: 1

1. Ali emergency eye bath fO'l continuousfy W in b t flfi 'eye's simultaneously comprising an elliptical bowl adapted to embrace the upper part only or the human face, the internal length of said bowl corresponding approximately to the width or the human face, the internal width of the bowl corresponding approximately to the distance between the center of the forehead and the center of the nose, the front rim being depressed in relation to the side and rear rims of the bowl, a pair of opposed nozzles one at each end of the bowl; said nozzles being directed upwardl'y and inwardly at an angle to discharge solid streams of liquid in upward arcs from the nozzles during'operation' of the device, said arcs intersectmg midway the length of the bowl and intermediate its width; 'said being located abovethe drain, a drain in the bowl, a sprir'rg loaded valve havnrg an inlet adapted to be attached to a. source of continuousfy flowing" liq- 1nd, said valve being'mounted on said bowi, the valve stem of said valve extending upwardly through therear' rimv or said bowl", a valve-actuating plate" and head rest" attached to the valve stem, said valve and actuating plate being dis= posed rrridway the ends of the bowl, said plate being adapted to operate the valve when the: fore head rests thereon, and said plate being disposed Figuree is a cross section of the fountain eye 76 abovetherearrfm' at a bintsucn that when the valve is so actuated the upper portion of the face only is embraced by said bowl, and liquid distributing means connecting the outlet of said valve with said nozzles.

2. An emergency device for simultaneously and continuously washing both human eyes, which comprises an elliptical bowl having an internal length approximately that of the face, an internal width approximately that of the distance between the middle of the nose and the middle of the forehead, the front rim of said bowl being depressed below the rear and side rims, a drain in said bowl, a pair of opposed nozzles disposed above the drain adjacent the ends of the ellipse, said nozzles being directed upwardly and inwardly and adapted when the device is in operation to discharge liquid in solid streams in an arc intersecting midway the length of the bowl and intermediate its width, means connectable to a continuous source of liquid, a spring loaded valve mounted on said bowl, a valve stem extending above the rear rim of said bowl, said valve being designed to open when said stem is pressed downwardly, a valve actuating plate and forehead rest mounted on said valve stem intermediate the length of said bowl, said plate being adapted when pressed by the forehead to leave the upper part of the face embraced by said bowl, and liquid distributing means connecting the outlet of said valve with said nozzles whereby liquid may be supplied thereto.

3. An emergency device for continuously washing the human eyes, which comprises an elliptical bowl the internal length of which is approximately the width of the human face, the internal width of which is approximately the length of the face from the middle of the forehead to the middle of the nose, the forward rim of said bowl being depressed below the side and rear rims, the rims of said bowl forming a downwardly extending skirt, a pair of opposed nozzles positioned adjacent the ends of the "ellipse and being directed upwardly and inwardly at an angle such that when said device is in operation said nozzles discharge solid streams of liquid in an arc intersecting midway the length of the bowl and intermediate its width, a spring actuated valve mounted on said bowl beneath said skirt, means for attaching said valve to a continuous supply of liquid, a distributing manifold connecting the outlet 'of said valve to-said nozzles, a valve stem extending through the rear rim, a valve actuating plate and head rest mounted on the valve stem in a position such aswhen said valve is actuated by resting the forehead on said plate the upper part only of the face is embraced by said bowl, the are of said streams of fluid being directed so as to' be intercepted by the eyes when the forehead rests upon the plate. and a drain in said bowl.

ROY G. BENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 593,527 Kustner et'al Nov. 9, 1897 1,316,871 Watrous Sept. 23, 1919 1,426,046 Cohen Aug. 15, 1922 1,587,844 Landberg June 8, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,125 Great Britain July 30, 1906 

